Over a few days in June 2010, the Urban Stories and Desert Stories crews met for the first time. They shared a meal. They interviewed each other. They began to understand how different the desert was to the city; and yet how similar their feelings and aspirations were.

The First Supper videos are your chance to meet the crews; to get to know a little bit about where they come from. In The First Supper: Part Two Anna asks Lazare what exactly what will happen if someone other than a mother cooks that dish…

There are a few things that separate the arrival of Maria and Zahoor at Villawood: ten years, a few policy reforms and two very large fences.

“For Australia to become like this – to have Villawood transformed into that is painful.” – Maria

A well-known end point and starting point for those who leave their country seeking asylum in Australia is Villawood Detention Centre – formerly known as Villawood Hostel. Two women who were faced with the choice to flee share their story with their sons.

Liverpool’s first people were the Cabrogal people who spoke the Darug language. The Georges River provided a natural boundary between the Darug (wood tribes) and the neighbouring Tharawal (coast tribe). These tribes knew the area as Gunyungalung.

Then came the settlers in 1810; to make Liverpool Australia’s fourth oldest town; only predated by Sydney, Parramatta and Hobart, but decidedly different, as it was the first “free planned settlement” of the nation.

During the First World War, Liverpool became a military hub, and Holsworthy housed Italian and German Prisoners of War.

While migration was fluid in Liverpool from the late 18th century, the post World War Two influx of “New Australians” and those refugees who have come after now characterise this vibrant regional hub.

Liverpool welcomes refugees as a place free from fear and celebrates their contribution during Refugee Week 2011.

Portraits of LiverpoolRelease: April 2011Location: Macquarie Mall, Liverpool, Western Sydney